AURANGABAD: In a bid to control spread of bacterial infections during monsoon, the Aurangabad Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to intensify its vigilance at eateries from this month. During the monsoon season, hygiene levels in eateries, especially the ones on the roadsides, deteriorate significantly.
The FDA had conducted a similar drive in the city in December last year during which food samples of three hotels were found to be of sub-standard quality. The administration also served improvement notices to around 18 hotels as their kitchens were found unclean and they had no bills of the raw material procured.
"The FDA is planning to conduct a fresh drive to inspect hotels and eateries from this month to ensure that the quality of food served is as per the requisite standards and the food operators are complying with food safety management regulations," said Chandrakant Pawar, joint commissioner of FDA (Aurangabad division), who assumed charge a fortnight ago.
A V Pardhi, assistant commissioner of Aurangabad FDA, said, "The food inspectors would conduct surprise inspection drives at roadside food stalls. The aim is to check whether the food stalls and small restaurants are following standard norms of the FDA on cooked food quality and maintaining hygiene."
"With the onset of rainfall activity in the city, there are chances of spread of bacterial infections causing fever, diarrhoea, indigestion, throat problems, typhoid and cholera. As contaminated and unhygienic food as well as water are the major reasons for the spread of bacterial infections, the FDA carries out inspections as a control measure," he said.
"We would inspect the food quality, standard of raw material used, storage of food and medical condition of workers at food stalls and small roadside restaurants. As many as 584 hotels and 88 restaurants are registered with the FDA in the district, while 779 hotels and 591 restaurants are licence holders," he said.
"Inspections would be carried out across the city and the main focus would be on the street vendors. Majority of the unhygienic and contaminated food samples are found in Chinese food corners and pav bhaji centres on the roadsides," the FDA official said, adding that food stall owners have been asked to use good food quality to prevent the spread of diseases.
During the drive conducted in December last, the FDA officials had observed that food safety norms such as wearing gloves, using clean vessels to prepare food and clean premises as well as drinking water served to the customers were not followed at these establishments.
"As per the guidelines, the hoteliers and stall vendors have to follow norms and use unadulterated items to prepare food. However, during the raids conducted by our food safety officers, we found that 85 owners or operators had been flouting the norms. Hence, we have issued notices to these establishments," said food safety officer G W Gore.
"Owners and operators to whom notices have been issued should undertake food safety measures to improve the quality of food or face penalties. Later, they may even face criminal charges," Pardhi said.
Shaikh Aziz
The FDA had conducted a similar drive in the city in December last year during which food samples of three hotels were found to be of sub-standard quality. The administration also served improvement notices to around 18 hotels.
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